Kinship care and ‘child-only’ welfare grants: Low participation despite potential benefits

Citation

Nelson, Justine G.; Gibson, Priscilla A.; & Beauer, Jean W. (2010). Kinship care and 'child-only' welfare grants: Low participation despite potential benefits. Journal of Family Social Work. vol. 13 (1) pp. 3-24

Abstract

Several U.S. social policies identify kinship care as the preferred out-of-home placement. However, financial assistance to defray the cost of kinship caregiving is limited. One option is the child-only welfare grant. This study investigates kinship households' eligibility for, utilization of, and educational benefits associated with these grants. Most kinship households are eligible for these grants, which in 2003 provided a median monthly benefit of $227. However, analysis of National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data indicates that few eligible kinship households receive the grants. Regression analysis indicates that an increase in this amount of monthly household income during adolescence is associated with a 7% greater likelihood of kinship youth graduating from high school.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080%2F10522150903437466

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Family Social Work

Author(s)

Nelson, Justine G.
Gibson, Priscilla A.
Beauer, Jean W.

Year Published

2010

Volume Number

13

Issue Number

1

Pages

3-24

ISSN/ISBN

1052-2158

DOI

10.1080/10522150903437466

Reference ID

1147